Title: Unexpected places

Author: Spuffygrl

Summary: Buffy is a romance novelist who has been burnt by love FAR too many times. Then she meets Spike, a young, single dad, who makes it his personal duty to change that.

Disclaimer: (RECAP: joss is still tied to a chair)

Me: I didn't want to do this Joss… (puts tape in VCR)

I love you,

You love me,

We're a great big family….

Joss: NO! I-I burns!

Me: well then give me my favorite characters

Joss: anything, anything…Make it stop (Joss dials 911 on the cell I didn't know he had)

Me: (goes to turn the barney tape off and takes out earplugs) I'll go make up a contract.

Rating: PG-13 for now. May be R later

THE AMUZEMENT PARK

The sun was high by around noon when Buffy, Dawn, and Spike had left Willow's house. Willow made some excuse to not go and winked at Dawn as she did so. It was now about two in the afternoon and Dawn ran out of the car dragging them both behind her, wanting nothing but to leave the two of them and go on rides.

"Three tickets please" Spike requested of the stubby man on the other side.

"It's okay" said Buffy. "I can pay for my own ticket."

"Like I said back at the house" he began as he gave her the ticket. "My treat." Dawn smiled up at the two adults before dragging them off to some rides.

"Dawn" whined Buffy collapsing into a seat. "My feet are hurting."

"Yeah bit" Spike agreed. "We need a break."

"But I wanna go on some rides" pouted Dawn.

With a sigh, Spike said "Why not play some games? Here" he handed her some money.

"Cool" Dawn said before running away from the adults to play some games.

"So…" Buffy began but ended up just trailing off.

"So…." added Spike.

"What's your real name?" she asked a few seconds later.

"How do you know that Spike's not my real name?"

"Because no one hates their child that much" she smirked.

"Where as the name Buffy gives it that touch of classic elegance." He returned the smile.

"Are you gonna tell me or not?"

"William okay?"

"William" she repeated nodding. "I like it."

"Off beat taste luv. So what's your name?"

"Elizabeth but I haven't been called that since grade school."

"It's nice" he half-smiled.

Pause.

"So, why didn't you tell me you had a daughter?"

Spike shrugged. "Not something most women respond to lightly. Besides you ran out on me, pet."

"Yeah, sorry about that. There was death in the family so I kinda had too."

"I'm sorry."

It was Buffy's turn to shrug. "Nothing you can do but move on."

Pause.

"I used to live with your sister actually" Buffy said causing Spike to look at her suspiciously. "But when she started dating that Xander guy I kinda moved out. I didn't want to be the third wheel."

"Their dating?" questioned Spike. "So that's why that ponce didn't go after anyone in particular." Buffy giggled. "What?"

"I just realized something."

"What?"

"You and Willow have different accents."

"Half brother and sister" he amended.

"Dad!" yelled Dawn from across the park. Both adults turned to her as she waved them over.

"Duty calls" smiled Spike. He stood up and offered her his hand. "Coming?"

Buffy grinned. "It would be my honor."

a/n: that was a belated New years chapter. I'm sorry that it's not long but I had no clue what to write so…yeah. Lol. Please review and give me some ideas. They're both really appreciated. Oh and I was thinking since I still haven't actually made Buffy write in her romance novel, nor have I mentioned it really, I would do that next chapter. So yeah happy holidays all. Oh and my update may only be limited to once a week or once every other week because school is starting for me on Monday (grr) So um…R&R.

-spuffygrl